John Rylands Library

The John Rylands Library is a university library in Manchester featuring neo-Gothic architecture with stone walls, vaulted ceilings, and stained glass windows. The building combines these ornate architectural elements with reading rooms and exhibition spaces inside.

The building was founded in 1899 and began with a substantial collection of theological books from a private collection. It quickly developed into an important repository for rare manuscripts and printed works.

The library holds collections of manuscripts and personal papers that reveal Manchester's role as a center of scholarly exchange. Visitors can see how these materials are displayed and understand their importance to the city's cultural life.

Visitors can access exhibitions and reading rooms for free, with extended opening hours throughout the week. It is helpful to plan ahead if you want to see specific collections or rare works.

The building holds one of the few surviving Gutenberg Bibles in Great Britain, one of the earliest printed books in the world. This rare work is kept in the special collections and is accessible to researchers and interested visitors.

Location: Manchester

Inception: 1899

Founders: Enriqueta Augustina Rylands

Architects: Basil Champneys

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

Part of: University of Manchester Library

Website: http://library.manchester.ac.uk

GPS coordinates: 53.48030,-2.24870

Latest update: December 20, 2025 14:59